Ghazipur (Hindi: ग़ाज़ीपुर, Urdu: غازیپور), or Ghazipur City, previously spelt Ghazeepore, is a city/town and a municipal corporation and headquarter of Ghazipur district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Ghazipur Division and Sub-division. Back to the past, it was a place of administration under Guptas dynasty too than earlier as described in Hindu Mythology, as kingdom of King Vishwamitra, who later changed into saint and popularly known as Maharshi Vishwamitra. Vishwamitra was the son of Gaadhi.

Ghazipur is well known for its opium factory, which is the biggest authorized opium factory in the globe, established by British East India Company in 1820. It is house to handloom weaving and a perfume trade. The town is an significant farming market. Lord Cornwallis, governor-general of British India, died in Ghazipur-UP and is buried there. The town is nearest to the UP-Bihar border. The home tongue at the place is Bhojpuri. Ghazipur UP borders the important spiritual city of Varanasi and is located about 80 km East of Varanasi UP and 40 KM from Buxar which is the entry point of Bihar State.

History

As per the verbal and folk history.[1] Ghazipur was covered with dense forest during the Vedic era and it was a place for ashrams of saints during that period. The place is related to the Ramayana period. Maharshi Jamadagni, the father of Maharshi Parashurama, is said to have resided here.[2] The famous Gautama Maharishi and Chyavana were given teaching and sermon here in ancient period. Lord Buddha gave his first sermon in Sarnath,[3] which is not far from the here.[4] The Aurihar region of Ghazipur became the main centre of teachings of Lord Buddha. Many stupas and pillars are the main evidence of that period. Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang visited this area and has described this place as Chanchu "Kingdom of the Lord of battles."

Its ancient name of Gadhipuri or Gadhipur was renamed to Ghazipur about 1330, after Ghāzī Malik, a Muslim ruler of the Tughluq dynasty, who ruled this area.

[5] The first Scientific Society of India was established first in Ghazipur in 1862 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan for propagating modern Western knowledge of science, technology and industry. It was a departure from the past in the sense that education made a paradigm shift from traditional humanities and related disciplines to the new field of science and agriculture. Some current institution like Technical Education and Research Institute (TERI),[6] a post-graduate college, in the city, takes their inspiration from that first Society.

The region has been active in India Independence Movement. The Celebrated hero of First War of Independence (which is also referred as Sepoy Mutiny) Mangal Pandey belonged to that time of Ghazipur District area (now part of Ballia). The famous Raju Baxi revolt is also associated with this place where the farmers revolted against the British and set fire to several indigo godowns. This place has played a significant role in the Indian National movement. During the Home Rule movement and the Quit India movement people of Ghazipur took part courageously and fearlessly. During Quit India movement, Birpur is historical place of India where many warriors were born. On 18 August 1942 a group of freedom fighters of Sherpur Village under the leadership of Dr Shiv Pujan Rai hoisted the Tricoloure at Mohammadabad Tehsil.

In 1330 AD, when Sultan Mohd. Saani bin Tughlaq became the King and ascended the throne of Delhi, he appointed Janab Syed Masud as his ‘ Moqarrib’. Mohd. Tughlaq left for Deccan after appointing Firoz Shah Tughlaq, his cousin, as his deputy at Delhi. At that time Raj Mandhata was the ruler of Kashtut (Kathaut) a place near Ghazipur (Eastern U.P.). Raja was hostile to the Delhi kingdom. Syed Masud Al-Husaini, along with his seven sons and 40 champions left Delhi and came to Ghazipur as per the command of King Firoz Shah to rescue a young unmarried girl from the captivity of the Raja. Battle was fought and the ruler was defeated. Syed Masud was appointed as ruler and administrator of the place. He was conferred the title of ‘Ghazi’ by the king Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Syed Masud founded a new city in 1330 AD. It was called Ghazipur. He died on 31.03.1366 AD and is buried in Ghazipur.* His grave is in Mohalla Harishankari. His son, Syed Raje, who was killed while fighting the army of Raja’s nephew in 1330 A.D. is also buried there. In Ghazipur one Mohalla is known as “Syedwara” and one riverbank is called Masudi Ghat. He had seven sons and distributed the areas under his control among his sons for administrative convenience and himself settled down in Ghazipur city. His descendants were later called 'Syeds of Ghazipur' as described in the research work of S. M. Taqi Husaini's Genealogical Tree of Syed Masud Al-Husaini.

Geography

Ghazipur is located at 25°35′N83°34′E﻿ / ﻿25.58°N 83.57°E﻿ / 25.58; 83.57.[7] It has an average elevation of 62 metres (203 feet). The city of Ghazipur is located in the middleGanges valley of North India, in the Eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, along the left is bank of the Ganges river. It is the headquarters of the Ghazipur district. The city nearly stretches parallel to the river Ganges. Its neighbouring cities are Varanasi, Jaunpur, Buxar in Bihar, Ballia, Mau, Chandauli and Azamgarh. Initially Ballia and Mau were part of Ghazipur district but latter were made separate districts. Being located in the plains of the Ganges, the soil is alluvial type and is fertile because of low level floods continually replenish the soil. This makes agriculture the most important profession of the people. The town is predominantly agrarian and so is the economy. The district is divided into four major sub parts.

Ghazipur has a humid subtropical climate with large variations between summer and winter temperatures. Summers are long, from early April to October, with intervening monsoon seasons. Cold waves from the Himalayan region cause temperatures to dip across the city in the winter from December to February. The temperature ranges between 32°C – 46°C (90°F – 115°F) in the summers, and 2°C – 15°C (41°F – 59°F) in the winters.[17] The average annual rainfall is 1110 mm (44 in).[18]. Fog is common in the winters, while hot dry winds, called loo, blow in the summers.

The city is relatively free from air pollution.[citation needed]. Through a combination of water pollution, new constructions of upstream dams, and increase in the local temperature, the water level of the Ganges has recently gone down significantly, and small islands have become visible in the middle of the river.

As of 2001[update] India census,[9] Ghazipur city had a population of 1,05,243 whereas district constitutes more than 31,00,000 people. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Ghazipur has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 62%. In Ghazipur, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

A larger percentage of the population lives in the rural area. The Municipal Area is small as compared to other cities nearby. It is poorly developed despite being a very important city under British rule. when it was a strategic river port. A military cantonment built by the British now houses a college and a colony for administrative officers and their subordinates. The opium factory located in the city was established by the British and continues to be a major source of opium production in India. It is the largest of its kind in the country. It is guarded under high security, and not easily accessible to the general public. The factory has its own residential accommodation for the employees, and is situated across the banks of river Ganges. There is also an important office of the narcotics department of Indian government in the city. The airport of Ghazipur was a commanding airport of most of the eastern part of the upper and western part of Bihar in those days, but now it remains vacant and is used when for VIP arrivals to Ghazipur or nearby areas. It is situated on the outer side of the city and is poorly maintained.

Ghazipur has sixteen development blocks. The district is divided into five tehsils and another is proposed. Ghazipur has two members for Lok Sabha, and eight seats to UP Vidhan Sabha. The OPIUM factory is largest in Asia. Largest Village of Asia is in GHAZIPUR named as Gahmar. It is 35 KM from Ghazipur City.

Rails, roads, waterways and airport

Ghazipur is the major railhead of North Eastern Railways, Varanasi Division. Ghazipur City station serves as major railway station of city. Ghazipur Ghat is a halt station situated 7 km from city. Tari Ghat station of ECR, Danapur Division near city approx. 10 km byroad connects Ghazipur to Mughalsarai by a routine passenger train. DildarnagarECR on Delhi-Patna-Howrah route and Aunrihar Jn (N.E. Railway) on Varanasi-Ghazipur and Varanasi-Gorakhpur route are important Junctions.

In view of roads, it is well connected by important cities by means of national highways and state highways. National Highway 29 starts from Varanasi to Gorakhpur passes from here. National Highway 19 starts from here and terminates in Patna. National Highway 97 starts from here and terminated in Saiyedraja Distt. Chandauli, UP in order to join N.H.2 (Kolkatta-Delhi highway) to Ghazipur. Some major state highways starts from here which joins Lucknow, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Buxar, Sultanpur, and Deoria.

Andhau Airport in Andhau, 9 km from City Railway Station serves as airport for city. But, it is not a public airport. It is used for V.I.P. arrivals only. Yet, Babatpur Airport, Varanasi Airport, 90 km from here is airport which serves Ghazipur.

Shahbaaz Kuli Airport in Shahbaaz Kuli, 13 km from City Railway Station. But, it is not working nowadays. It was constructed for government use in world war - II. It is not be able to use in any way due to lack of proper maintenance.

Waterways

Ghazipur is an important waterway port on river Ganges between Haldia to Allahabad.

Transport

In city, mainly Auto rickshaws and Rickshaw's are primary mode of transport. Taxis are even also available on railway stations. Earlier RTO was planning for City Buses, but it fails because of narrow roads. In old city, auto-rickshaws are not permitted during certain time interval, so, Rickshaws serves as most primary transport mode. No other means of transport available in city region. Still, in city, city buses are proposed and needs permission to start after clearance from State Government.

For District areas, taxis, buses and tempos are always available from Lanka, Shastrinagar, Rauza, Rajdepur, City Railway Station, Gorabazar and RTI square.

Industrial condition

The city has sound agriculture base and reasonably good infrastructure, yet the industrial potential is low. The lack of enterprise and technical knowledge of local people may be the major constraints in industrial growth. Ghazipur has long been famous for the manufacture of perfumes especially rose water (Ghazipuri Gulabjal )and Attar of roses (Rose oil). A local firm was awarded a medal for the quality of product in British empire exhibition in London in the last century. Now this industry is facing gradual decline due to the shrinkage of cultivation of perfume bearing plants. Sugar industry was important to this region but now there are few factories left. The manufacturing of saltpeter is done in Saidpur. Cloth weaving is centered in Bahariabad. There are 47 registered factory under section 1948. But scenario have change from last decade, a multi productive agro manufacturing unit M/s Sukhbhir Agro, an alcohol manufacturing unit M/s Lords Distillery, a Polythene Manufacturing unit M/s Bryplast Private Limited, a Homoeopathic Medicines Manufacturing unit M/s M.D.Homoeo Lab. Pvt. Ltd., Maharajganj, Ghazipur worked successfully in district. These companies provide many employment opportunities.

The manufacture of rice, agriculture goods, furniture, leather, footwear, utensils, steel trunk, almirah, khandsari, candles and handlooms are the main small scale industry of the city. Village and cottage industry include mostly the handicraft handed down from generation to generation like gur making, village oil industry, Leather tanning, pottery etc. Opium and Alkaloid Works, a Government of India enterprise, specializes in manufacture of excise opium and export opium. It is the largest of its kind in the country. it's a beautiful city.

Places

Ganges Ghats

Different Ghats along holy river Ganges makes an it a visiting place in City. Some of Ghats are Posta Ghat, Dadari Ghat, Collectorghat, Steamer Ghat, Chitnath Ghat, Rameshwar ghat, Pakka Ghat, Kankadiya Ghat, Mahadeva Ghat, and Sikandarpur Ghat.

Tomb of Lord Cornwallis

Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis was a British military commander and a colonial era governor general. In the United States he is best remembered as a leading British officer in the American Revolutionary War. His 1781 defeat by a combined American-French troop is considered the end of hostilities in North America in that war. After the defeat he returned to Britain, and in 1786 he was appointed governor general and commander-in-chief in India. He instituted land reforms and reorganised the British East India Company. In 1792 he defeated Tipu Sultan and nearly captured his capital city Srirangapatna, paving way for British dominance in South India. He was given the title of Marquis in the same year and returned to Britain. His time in India did much to burnish his reputation.
He was reappointed governor general of India in 1805, but died on October 5 of the same year, soon after arrival, in the city of Ghazipur. In his memory the British built a large tomb in the city, using stones brought from England. The tomb located in the outer corner of the city near the old British cantonment is well maintained by the Archeological Survey of India.[10] It is the major tourist attraction in the city. Each year a large crowd gathers at the tomb to celebrate new year but the rest of the year it remains free of crowds.

Bada Mahadeva

In the South of the city is situated Bada Mahadeva in Peer Nagar area, which serves as the biggest Shiva Temple in the city and one of the picturesque ghats.

Pavhari Baba's Ashram

Sankat Mochan

Temple of Shri Lord Hanumana situated in Dadrighat, which is the biggest temple of its kind in the city.

Budhe Hanuman

In the Chitnath area of the city, a temple of Hanumana, supposed to have been built in the time of Maharasi Viswamitra, is the most popular place of worship for Hindus. This place is known as Jhandatar.

Kamakhya Dham

Situated 40 km from the city, under Gahmar police station near Karhiya. Maa Kamkhya Temple is a Hindu Goddess Temple, a subsidiary of Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati. The temple lies in Gadaipur Village. For the protection and safety of pilgrims a police booth has been established there. It is well connected by roadways. An old myth about the temple is that whatever you wish the Goddess Kamakhya blesses you with that. There is lot of gathering in the months of Ramanavmi. There is a horse race on the occasion of ramnavami every year.

Mahahar Dham

It is situated about 30 km from the city under Kasimabad Region. It is the biggest place for worship in the city. It is supposed that, on Mahashivratri, Kashi Vishwanath arrives here and takes bath in Kund located here. Pachauri, Karahia and Hathauri railway lines and Khamaya Dham and Ma Durga Temple are situated nearby. Every year Bol Bam Seva Sansthan serves its services to Kavariyan here.

It is said that King Dashrath(Father of Lord Rama) hit Shravan Kumar by arrow at this place.

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid located in Syyedwar area of city is the biggest mosque and one of the ancient architectures in the district. it built by Auranzeeb.

Nehru Stadium

The city of Ghazipur has a single stadium called Nehru Stadium, named after India's first prime minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru. It is a small, government owned to accommodate both indoor and outdoor games. It also has a gymnasium. The stadium is generally used for various district level sports competitions.

Ramlila Maidan

Ramlila Maidan also popularly known as Lanka Maidan is a playground located in the middle of the city. It is walled on all sides with two large gates and is well maintained. It has a small pond inside its boundary.

This ground also serves as the venue for political campaigns during elections and as a location for circuses and local exhibitions. When it is not in use otherwise it serves as a playground.

Dhamupur

From Ghazipur city, about 37 km distance, a small village is situated named Dhamupur which is the birthplace of Paramveer Chakra Winner Veer Abdul Hamid. It is situated on District Road leading from Mardah region to Jakhaniya. Veer Abdul Hamid was a soldier in the Indian army during India-Pakistan war, He destroyed the Patten tanks of Pakistan.

Apart from this, many several local places are there to visit including Bhitri, Near Saidpur, Aurihar, Kasimabad, Mohammadabad, which is about 30-50 KM away from city lies within Ghazipur District

Educational institutions

There are four major post-graduation college in the city. Major Schools include Shah Faiz Public School, St. Mary's, St. John's, Lourdes Convent, St. Thomas's, Gaurishankar Public School, Saraswati Shishu Mandir, Sunbeam School, Dalmiss, Agrasen Public School.

Syed Zainul Abdin(Qamar Ghazipuri)

He is one of the nice Shayar of Ghazipur and son of Syed Naseer Ahmad famous as Maulwi sahab.Maulwi Sahab was Emam-e-jama masjid For that time he done emamat at the time of Eid-ul-Fitra.

Justice Pranav Kumar Chatterji

Born on 26 August 1943, and brought up in Ghazipur. His Father Late Panchanan Chatterji was a notable Civil Servant at Ghazipur District Courts. He built a House now known as House No 14/Kasra No 64, Mohalla Khajuria ward, Gram Peernagar on an Old Bunglow of one Mr & Mrs Foster British subject. Justice Chatterji studied up to Class 12 at Ghazipur, earlier at Primary School stage he was pupil of Sister Ruffus a Germen missionary teacher/ Mission school, He did his Graduation BSc from Ewing Christian College Allahabad of Allahabad University and LLB from Canning College of Lucknow Univerity and joined the Oudh Bar Lucknow High Court and Ghazipur Distt & Sessions Court from 1966 to 1968 and Later Joined the UP Judicial Service as Munsiff Ballia in 1968 and retired as Hon'ble Judge High Court Lucknow in 2005 and contrary to the general practice came down to Ghazipur to reside.

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